This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.

Tour Itinerary

  • 1.10:00 Meet up @ Hilton Tokyo
  • 2. 10:30 @ Imperial Palace (Sakuradamon Gate, Nijubashi Bridge, Main Gate)
  • 3. 11:30 @ Tokyo Station (Station Square, Station Building)
  • 4. 11:50 @ Nihonbashi (Takashimaya Underground Food Court)
  • 5. 12:20 @ Asakusa (Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Shrine, Sumida Park, Azumabashi Bridge)
  • 6. 13:30 @ Yanaka Shopping Street
  • 7. 14:40 Disband @ Marunouchi Line "Kokkai-gijidomae" Station Platform

Can You Do a Private 4-Hour Tokyo Tour Covering the Imperial Palace, Asakusa, and Yanaka? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting Japan for the second time from Oceania. Having come for skiing last year and enjoyed it, they returned again for skiing this year, but this time they planned to do some Tokyo sightseeing—something they had not been able to do last year—before heading to the Sahoro ski resort in Hokkaido, after which they intended to fly to Osaka and spend one day sightseeing in Kyoto before returning home. At the first stop on this tour, the Imperial Palace, everyone listened attentively to explanations about Japanese history. With some sunshine and not too cold, it was a walk blessed with wonderful weather. The guests also took many photographs. On the way from the Imperial Palace to Asakusa, we passed through Tokyo Station and walked to Nihonbashi, and before boarding the subway I guided them for about ten minutes through the basement food hall of the Nihonbashi Takashimaya department store. Some of the guests were especially excited and said they would definitely love to come back there, so I let them know that Shinjuku, which is close to the Hotel, also has Takashimaya and Isetan where they could enjoy similar department store basement food halls. They seemed to have a strong interest in food. Due to the schedule of the 4-hour tour, we could not sit down for a leisurely lunch, but in Asakusa they tried hot takoyaki from a stall near the main hall, then moved on to try soy-sauce senbei rice crackers at a traditional cracker shop near Nippori Station, and in Yanaka Ginza they enjoyed grilled squid, skewered grilled oysters with sauce, and a tsukudani of small sardines and walnuts. Originally they had planned to visit Meiji Shrine on their own from Sendagi Station via the Chiyoda Line, but since they changed their plan to return to the Hotel after the tour, I guided them as far as the transfer to the Marunouchi Line and then said goodbye.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1Free PassTokyo Metro Marunouchi Line Nishi-Shinjuku Station~Yurakucho Line Sakuradamon Station900JPY
Section 2Free PassTokyo Metro Ginza Line Nihonbashi Station~Asakusa Station0JPY
Section 3Free PassTokyo Metro Ginza Line Asakusa Station~Kanda Station0JPY
Section 4TrainKanda (Tokyo)~Nippori170JPY
Section 5Free PassTokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Sendagi Station~Kokkai-gijidomae Station0JPY
Total1,070JPY

Hello, I’m Noripy.
I am a lively woman in my 60s who loves having fun. My charm lies in my bright and approachable personality. Drawing on over 30 years of international experience, I began working as a tour guide in 2023. I have conducted over 100 tours annually, ensuring that my clients enjoy Tokyo and its surrounding areas. I have received high praise from a wide range of customers, from teenagers to people in their 80s. I cater to solo travelers, couples, newlyweds, families, and groups of up to about 10 people. Living in the heart of the city, I actively guide tours primarily in Tokyo. In addition to being certified in English, one of my strengths is being able to communicate effectively in Spanish as well.
I’m looking forward to meeting you all in Tokyo!

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